*The Wellington Zapatista Support Group invites you to join us for:
*Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life** *Sunday Ist November 2009 –
two events!*
*4pm MUSEUM OF WELLINGTON CITY AND SEA* (Queens Wharf Jervois Quay)
*OFRENDA and Face-painting/Preparation for the STREET PROCESSION*
through Wellington’s streets to *Bar Bodega* (departs 6PM)
*7.30pm **BAR BODEGA *101 Ghuznee Street.
*DIA DE LOS MUERTOS* *Fiesta – featuring: Bella Cajon, Julie Bevan,
Carlos Naverrette, Te Kupu, Sam Kelly, German Renthel, and other
performers – **plus music, poetry, dance, and SPOT PRIZES!!*
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an annual festival observed
throughout Latin America originating in pre Columbian culture which
celebrates life by honouring the dead. It is believed that on this day
each year the spirits of the dead return to Earth to reconnect with the
living, and re-experience the sensory world. Friends and family honour
the deceased by celebrating in cemeteries, homes, and public spaces with
food, flowers, music, and prayers. Colourful paper cut-outs called papel
picado decorate churches and cemeteries. Fancy dress, especially
skeletons and other deathly outfits, is the norm.
In recent years Mexicans living locally have brought this festival alive
for New Zealanders, and once again invite Wellingtonians and visitors
alike to share in their celebrations of this traditional cultural – and
colourful – event.
At *Museum of Wellington City and Sea/Te Waka Huia o Nga Taonga Toku Iho
*there will be a *Traditional Ofrenda *on display*, *as well as
*Face-painting and Preparation for the Procession.*
Ofrenda’s – or altars – often have a photo of the deceased, and are
elaborately-decorated with flowers as well as objects, foods and drinks
that the dead prized or enjoyed while they lived. It is believed that
displaying their favourite things entices their souls to return to take
part in the remembrance celebrations.
This year’s ofrenda is dedicated to Emiliano Zapata, Commandante Ramona,
Subcommandante Marcos, and the people of Honduras. It will be on display
from 4pm, and remain in place 1- 7^th November. (Photo of Diego Rivera
Ofrenda in Mexico City in 2006 attached, as an example)
There will also be face-painting and preparation for the street
procession, which will leave at 6pm. The public is encouraged to join
in, wear fancy dress, and carry colourful memorabilia of deceased loved
ones. The procession will wind through Wellington streets to end at *Bar
Bodega*.
Inside *Bar Bodega (*$10 cover charge) there will be performances* *on
the theme of life and death by a variety of acts, from poet Mercedes
Webb-Pullman to musicians such as Bella Cajon and Te Kupu, to Latin
dancers, and more.
All proceeds from the Bodega event will go to the community of La
Garrucha in Chiapas, Mexico.
